The language was Old Coruscanti. Court Language, they call it; no-one else speaks it anymore outside of that most privileged of elite circles. The official paused and everybody in the hall stood and I remember distinctly someone from Intel stood close behind me saying:
"That's it- he's Emperor."
Someone asked how she knew and she murmured without turning from the screen, "No-one sits in the Emperor's presence."
He glanced up but he didn't speak; just looked kinda detached and distant. But he filled that chair like he was meant to be there- like he belonged. And everyone saw that their new Emperor wore a lightsaber. There'd always been rumours about Palpatine; that he was Sith. Now, with the new Emperor, there was no doubt. No room for misinterpretation.
Everyone here knows the rumours of course; Intel had them a few days after the announcement of Palpatine's death, though nothing was ever confirmed. That he fought with Palpatine for the Throne, a duel to the death between Sith. That's why they put off the inauguration, not so dignitaries could arrive for some formal ceremony; it was just an excuse to give him time to recover.
The official image was released an hour or so later, probably very carefully chosen. He was stood before an incredible set of screens inlaid with gold strapwork and precious stones, etched and enamelled in a luminous, minutely-detailed rendition of a galactic map- someone said it was the Rim Systems; from Bothan Space all the way to the Sluiss Sector and everything in between. There's a whole set of them in the Throne Room, they said; the whole galaxy laid out before him, to remind him what he owns. It just... glowed- it was incredible.
He wore a dark, sombre suit with a high stand collar and a long, regal cloak tied over one shoulder, carefully arranged about him and dripping down the steps before him, intense midnight blue against that glowing gold. He didn't... carry anything; no sceptre, no- I don't know; no crown or anything but...
He looked like an Emperor - everything I thought he would.
Solo - Han Solo, who always says he knew him - Solo said that on the screen behind him, on the map, was his home planet. I don't know whether to believe him; why would an Emperor be brought up in the Rim Systems?
He wouldn't say which planet it was- or how he knew him.
Later there were a few images released from the public celebrations on Coruscant- the largest impromptu fireworks display ever, we're told.
Our new Emperor stepped out onto the Pageant Balcony in the Main Palace, watching, his limited entourage following him. It was small, but I guess its early days yet.
Forget the fireworks - the massed spectators drowned them out completely when they saw him. The NewsNet said about sixteen million visitors went to Coruscant for the Inauguration. They all think everything will change now- they don't even know him; most of the galaxy had never even seen an image of him three weeks ago. They have no idea what he's going to do, they just love him because he's not Palpatine. Because he's young and he's enigmatic and new. Already the NewsNet are starting to mention an Empress. Already everybody knows somebody who knows somebody who claims they met him once - even here!
No-one out there's talking about what he'll do - to the constitution or the military or the courts - whether his views are progressive and enlightened or totalitarian and oppressive. They just want to know who's standing beside him and if it's serious. No-one wants to scratch the surface of their shiny new hope. They don't want the truth.
He glanced down only once at the vast, sprawling crowds, lifting his hand in acknowledgement. They went wild - absolutely wild - the noise topped off the sound systems on the autolenses that were recording it. He didn't smile, didn't wave again; just stepped back a few paces into his entourage, like he was uneasy; embarrassed by it.
Nice touch, we all thought; he plays the crowds well.
He didn't stay out there much longer. I guess you don't have to when you're the Emperor; you pretty much do what you want- who's gonna stop you?
He's already announced a one-month period of official mourning for Palpatine, in which Court will be suspended - ample time for our new Emperor to install his own supporters. Not that he needs them- his word is law now.
The question is... what will it be?
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Continued in
At the Brink of the Dawn and the Darkness
Chapter 35
Well, that's it folks.
I'm off on holiday for a few weeks now (yaay!) then I'll probably take a few more weeks to start sketching out the last part of this trilogy, so it'll be a short while coming, but if I get time, I may put up a few shorts or a teaser for part three (if you're interested - let me know?).
A huge, whopping, massive great heap of thanks to all those who posted reviews - I seriously would have stopped long ago without you; everything from Chapter five onwards is because you pushed me to do it, so pat yourselves on the back right now... go on...
Thank-you :)
If you're interested, the pic for the third story (with some big clues in it) is on my website, which you can access from my bio page, along with pics for part one and two. Drop by and leave me a line :)
Hope you enjoyed the ride,
Blank.